The two ministers discussed ways to promote cooperation to implement three major joint projects, namely the express railway, north-south expressway and Hoa Lac hi-tech zone in Vietnam.

Deputy PM Khiem praised the Japanese government’s effective assistance to Vietnam’s economic development and integration in the recent past.

He said he hopes Japan will maintain the level of pledged aid and its status as top provider of official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam. He also expressed hope that Japan will recognize Vietnam as a market economy as soon as possible.

Khiem applauded the progress of the recent talks, saying the Vietnam-Japan economic partnership agreement (EPA) and an ASEAN-Japan economic partnership agreement would be signed in the near future.

The two sides praised the significance of President Nguyen Minh Triet’s upcoming visit to Japan to develop strategic partnerships for peace and prosperity in Asia.

The two ministers also agreed on the need to work together to prepare for next year’s celebrations of the 35^th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

They also exchanged views on a number of international matters of mutual concern.
The Japanese side congratulated Vietnam on becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

The Vietnamese side thanked Japan for its assistance in projects in the Mekong River sub-region and welcomed Japan to host the ministerial-level meeting on expanded Mekong River sub-region cooperation in Tokyo in January 2008.